Spring-structure



Feb. 21, 1933. c. LOFMAN SPRING STRUdTURE Filed NOV. 2, 1951 JW/nzor; Charles Zof/vzarz, 31

jlforne z a Patented Feb. 21, 1933 UNITED STATES.

PATENT OFFICE CHARLES LOFMAN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR T S. KARPEN' & BROS, 0F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF WEST VIRGINIA SPRING-STRUCTURE Application filed November The present invention relates particularly to spring-structures adapted for use for various purposes, as for use in mattresses, bed springs, or for upholstery purposes.

The invention is illustrated in a preferred embodiment" in the accompanying drawing, in which I Fig. 1 is a broken plan view of a sprlngstructure embodying the invention; Fig 2, an enlarged broken vertical sect onal view taken as indicated at line 2 of Fig. 1 Flg.

3, a broken sectional view taken as ndicated at line 3 of Fig. 2'; and Fig. 4,a vlew s milar to Fig. 2, but illustrating a modificatlon. 7 It may be stated preliminarily that the present invention constitutes an lmprove-v ment over the construction shown in Karpen and Lof'man application, Serial No. 546,078, filed June 22, 1931.

In the illustration given, the sprlngstructure is shown as comprising rows of upholstery springs A and helical connectors B connecting the end-rings of the upholstery springs. Marginal helical connectors '13 are illustrated. They may be omitted, 1f desired, or they may have substituted therefor any suitable form of marginal blnding.

The end-rings of the upholstery sprmgs are designated A.

Each of the end-rings is shown provided at diametrically opposite points with an elongated depression 1 adaptedto serve as a connecting-member, or hinge-member. The metal of the end-ring is offset downwardly or inwardly was to lie below or back of the plane of the end-ring.

Each spiral connector B is disposed below the plane-of the end rings and serves to con- 40 .nect together two rows of springs and at the same time to secure the members of eac row in properly spaced relation.

The manner in which the spiral connector is threaded into engagement'with the depressed hinged-portions of the end-rings is important. A typical arrangement is illustrated in the lefthand portion of Fig. 2, which shows one of the intermediate connecting points in the spring-structure, while 60 the right-hand portion of Fig. 2 shows the 2, 1931. Serial No. 572mb.

arrangement which is preferably employed at the end of the spiral connector.

'It will be noted by reference to the lefthand portion of Fig. 2, that the depressed hinge-member 1 of one end-ringis slightly staggered with reference to the hinge-member 1 of the other end-ring. The arrange be noted that three convolutions of the connector engages each hinge-member, but that one (the middle) convolution is common to both hinge-members. The result is that the end-rings are effectively locked against shifting longitudinally with relation to the connector At the same time, a free-hinging action-is permitted. This form of connec-= tion is extremely desirable, also for the reason that when the springs are heavily compressed at a iven point, there is no danger of the hinge coming dislocated. In other words, it always will return to its proper position.

Inthe'modification shown in Fig. 4, one

end-ring is designated A and the other end-ring is designated A 'The depressed hinge-members are designated 3 and 4, respectively. In this case two convolutions 5 of the connector engage both hinge-members, and single convolutions 6 engage single hinge-members. -This illustrates a form of connectionfor use throughout the body of the spring-structure to take the placeof that shown in the left-hand portion of Fig. 2. It will be noted that the construction shown in Fig. 4 corresponds with that shown in the right-hand portion .of Fig. 2, which ordinarily is employed at the end of a. connector.

The improved construction possesses the located below or inside of the plane of the end-rings, so that no projection above the plane of the end-rings occurs. Thus, danger of injuring the mattress is largely obviated. A further feature of advantage is the peculiar interlock hinge-connection be tween the hinge-members and the spiral connector, due to miss-matching or slightly staggering the hinge-members with relation to each other, but still leaving them so that at least one common convolution of-the connector will engage both hinge-members,

'while another convolution, or convolutions,

will engage hinge-members independently.

The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness of understanding only, and no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom, but the appended claim should be construed as broadly as permissible, in view of the prior art.

v\Vhat I regard as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

A spring-structure comprising parallel rows of upholstery springs, having end-rings disposed substantially in contact at lines between said rows, said end-rings having depressed hinge-niembers disposed below the plane of the end-rings and helical connectors arranged between said rows below the plane of the end-rings and having threaded engagement with said hinge-members, the hinge-members being of the same length and partially miss-matched and at least one convolution of the connector engaging both hinge-members of a pair and one or more convolutions engaging each individual hingemember only. a

CHARLES LOF MAN. 

